Ancient Egypt

To stimulate hair growth, the Egyptians applied chopped lettuce patches to bald spots. Lettuce was associated with Min, the Egyptian god of virility.

Another hair growth formula included a scalp massage preparation made from Fir Tree extracts. The Egyptians extracted the resin, or made an infusion from the needles, then massaged it into their scalps.

The Egyptians also used Castor Oil to encourage hair growth. They mixed it with Sweet Almond Oil to improve the aroma and make the oil smoother and easier to spread.

The Ancient Egyptians believed that thick hair was best and often improved on their own growth with hair extensions and wigs made from human hair or sheep's wool.

Sub-Sahara Africa

Ancient Africans steeped flowers in Olive Oil to make fragrant hair tonics.

They also relied on the astringent properties of Avocado leaves to make infusions that were ideal for treating scalp problems.

India

To stimulate hair growth and natural pigmentation, followers of Ayurveda boiled sage leaves in coconut oil and applied the blackened residue to the hair and scalps.
Fenugreek was used to combat hair loss.

Indians mixed coconut milk with a pinch of black pepper and Fenugreek powder.
Amla Oil (made from Indian Gooseberries) boiled in coconut oil was also used as a hair tonic to stimulate growth.

The Amazon

In the rainforests of South America, the Taiwano Indians treated scalp problems with heated extract of banana.

Victorian America

Hair loss was treated by applying a mixture of cologne, spirit of camphor and tincture of cantharides to hair roots each night. Another preventative measure called for mixing tincture of cantharides with Jamaica Rum, Glycerine, Sesqui-Carbonate of Ammonia, Rosemary Oil and Distilled Water.

Vigorous brushing was the most prescribed hair care treatment. Using a stiff brush was supposed to keep the hair soft and shiny, while a soft brush was believed to stimulate hair growth.

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